Senators GM Bryan Murray could step down at season’s end, latest on Joni Ortio, plus updates on the Maple Leafs, Canucks, Jets and more.
Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray expected to step down at season’s end.
OTTAWA CITIZEN: Senators general manager Bryan Murray, who is battling cancer, could step down at the end of this season. Team president Eugene Melnyk will leave it to Murray to pick his successor. Candidates could include assistant GMs Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Continued best wishes to Murray in his ongoing fight against stage 4 cancer.
THE PROVINCE: Though the Vancouver Canucks are in good shape to weather to effects of a declining Canadian dollar, it could affect their rebuilding efforts.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I’ve noted in my Soapbox, it’s going to effect every Canadian team, some more than others.
TORONTO SUN: The top five questions facing the Toronto Maple Leafs at the All-Star Break. Spoiler alert: trade speculation tops the list.
WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets are in great position in the standings at the All-Star Break.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: They’re currently fifth in the Western Conference and only two points behind St. Louis and Chicago. Barring a late-season collapse, they should clinch a playoff berth.
CALGARY SUN: The Flames have sent goalie Joni Ortio to their AHL farm team in Utica, but he might not be there for long.
LA PRESSE: The Montreal Canadiens have returned left wing Christian Thomas to their AHL farm team in Hamilton.
Well wishes to Bryan and I hope he is successful in his battle. I hope however neither assistant is moved into the role (unless it was Tim Murray but that ship sailed). I hope he also brings in his replacement before the seasons end to give them time to transition and prep for the draft/offseason properly.
I’d really like to see Julian BriseBois in the big chair for Ottawa as he has an impressive track record in the AHL with all the teams he has been a GM of being very successful, has a good record of hiring coaches, and is the Assistant GM to one of the best teams in the league. He knows young players, he can evaluate them well, has the education to manage the cap very well, and is often used in player negotiations. I really think he is the type of guy you want at the helm of your organization. Not to mention it isn’t that far from home 🙂